The Captaincy Change, Revisited

[Fishhead]

So looking back, did changing captains do anything for this team? Did it backfire? Did it even matter?

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[johnjm22]

I think the whole captaincy/leadership thing is very overrated by fans and the media.

Brown was under performing so I don't have a problem with the move. Kopitar was the obvious choice.

 

[Telos]

I voted that it wouldn't have mattered. From an outsider's perspective, it is easy to say it was or wasn't the best move. Personally, it would have been nice if we could have left Brown the captain until he left the team or if/when he or the team turned things around, but we don't know the exact state of things behind the scenes. The team was underperforming and Brown's performance followed along with it.

Obviously, tensions and pressure were high on Sutter and Lombardi and those tensions were escalating between the administration and the players/team. Kopitar is probably a better mediator between the two as Brown would probably not fear to voice himself and push back against admin. I think Brown showed a lot of poise to step aside, put his head down, concentrate on himself, and still remain useful. He is grossly overpaid now but he is useful and has been quoted many times over the season by his peers as still a powerful/strong presence in the locker room and a help to Kopitar. But obviously, it may also be time to see him part from the team if he doesn't come out of the gates reborn this year.

However, what is done is done. Kopitar was an obvious choice for replacement and Doughty could also be in the conversation and is great as at least an assistant, but Kopitar is more even keeled, especically with his emotions. But I can't see the team performing any differently despite the leadership adjustments. I don't think it had much of an impact on Kopitar's numbers, the problems with the team lied in system, philosophy, and personnel. The battle on the field could have been fought a little better by the soldiers, but it was ultimately lost by the generals.

 

[BigKing]

Kopitar made sense, but Doughty is the guy that likes the attention and pressure. Will also be the highest paid player on the team soon.

Would not be surprised if Kopitar isn't captain for a long tenure.

 

[deeshamrock]

I would have voted No but not for the reason stated. In my opinion, that was all Sutter. Sutter said (of why he hadn't signed his new contract yet) one of the reasons was 'changes that would have to be made' . IN a span of a few days, Brown's C is ripped off and Kopi is the new captain. There's a shocker, Brown had never been on of SUtter's boys and Kopi is his favorite player on the planet.

I've never felt that the Captain of the team should be it's best, most talented player. It should be the best leader. Sometimes that can be the same thing, but often it 's not . This presents a burden to the player and at the team.

Kopitar is the best forward on the team and has been for years. But he's not the best leader on the team. And I doubt he'd have been Stevens choice. But that' water under the bridge. SUtter got what he wanted , Kopi with the C and new contract. But it didn't make the team better.

And part of the reason Kopi struggled last year, was the weight of that C and the burden of living up to that contract.

 

[deeshamrock]

I voted that it wouldn't have mattered. From an outsider's perspective, it is easy to say it was or wasn't the best move. Personally, it would have been nice if we could have left Brown the captain until he left the team or if/when he or the team turned things around, but we don't know the exact state of things behind the scenes. The team was underperforming and Brown's performance followed along with it.

Obviously, tensions and pressure were high on Sutter and Lombardi and those tensions were escalating between the administration and the players/team. Kopitar is probably a better mediator between the two as Brown would probably not fear to voice himself and push back against admin. I think Brown showed a lot of poise to step aside, put his head down, concentrate on himself, and still remain useful. He is grossly overpaid now but he is useful and has been quoted many times over the season by his peers as still a powerful/strong presence in the locker room and a help to Kopitar. But obviously, it may also be time to see him part from the team if he doesn't come out of the gates reborn this year.

However, what is done is done. Kopitar was an obvious choice for replacement and Doughty could also be in the conversation and is great as at least an assistant, but Kopitar is more even keeled, especically with his emotions. But I can't see the team performing any differently despite the leadership adjustments. I don't think it had much of an impact on Kopitar's numbers, the problems with the team lied in system, philosophy, and personnel. The battle on the field could have been fought a little better by the soldiers, but it was ultimately lost by the generals.

Well thought out and well stated. Disagree on Brown, who didn't step aside, he was shoved out of the way. Not surprised by how he carried himself afterwards. He's a leader, they know how to do that by instinct.

And Kopitar's laconic ,laid back persona is good in some cases but I that lack of fire doesn't reflect leader. I want a Captain who is pissed off and angry after a loss, who hates losing more than he likes winning. I want see a Captain take the team on his back when they're down by 1 in the third. I want him to hold his teammates accountable . But that's not every players cup of tea.

This subject is a little raw for me this week, since as Phlla Sports Fan, losing Dutch Daulton hurt. He was one of the best leaders I've seen , just had it in his blood. To hear so many of his ex teammates, the pride and love in their voice when they spoke of him being the best leader they ever played with, and even those who played against him admired him for it.

I think Kopi is very good solider, but not general material.

 

[damacles1156]

Kopitar asked for and signed his contract, he has to deal with the pressure.

 

[King'sPawn]

Yes and no, to be honest.

I think Kopitar's mixture of talent while committing himself to both ends of the ice makes him a good bridge for the coach and the players.

However, I don't think Kopitar's on-ice or off-ice personality is a good team motivator where he can push the team to the limit.

I equate Kopitar to a golden retriever; a happy-go-lucky breed who loves what he does. But he's not really an alpha male; he's not a rottweiler or a doberman. I just don't think he can electrically charge the team.

 

[Ziggy Stardust]

I think we all pretty much anticipate Kopitar to run out of steam and hit a dry spell every year, especially in the mid-way point of the season. This year, he was like that for a good first half of the season, then when he started to get a bit more productive, Carter tailed off, and Toffoli wasn't the same player when he returned from his injury.

The only forward to show any consistency in production throughout the entire stretch of the season was Tanner Pearson.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

I wish they wouldn't have done it in the first place because of what a mess it was, but I don't think it ultimately made a difference. However, had we not changed the "C," people would probably have been asking for that move this offseason anyway, simply for change if nothing else.

 

[Herby]

I wish they wouldn't have done it in the first place because of what a mess it was, but I don't think it ultimately made a difference. However, had we not changed the "C," people would probably have been asking for that move this offseason anyway, simply for change if nothing else.

Exactly the same way I feel.

 

[Ollie Weeks]

Brown lost the C, at least partially I would suspect, because of his relationship with a coach who is no longer here to care. Rendering the whole thing kinda pointless IMO.

 

[Sol]

It was bad then, it still is now.

 

[kingsfan28]

Brown lost the C, at least partially I would suspect, because of his relationship with a coach who is no longer here to care. Rendering the whole thing kinda pointless IMO.

I agree with this. It was less to do with his on ice performance, which was partially due to Sutter jerking him around game after game, and more to do with the relationship that wasn't good.

The best thing that could've happen was to not bring Sutter back in the first place, especially after what happened at the end of 2016. In the end it made things worse and cost both Sutter and Lombardi their jobs.

 

[damacles1156]

It was a bad idea.

Brown should have never been stripped of the C.